Important Visiting Information
Protocols for visitation have been developed based on California Department Public Health (CDPH) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance. The below guidelines are implemented to keep patients and their visitors safe during the on-going COVID-19 pandemic.
All visits must be scheduled in advance. There is no walk-in visitation at this time. Please read through and comply with the visitor guidelines before using the scheduling link to reserve your visit.
DSH-Atascadero Visitation Scheduling (NOTE: best viewed using Chrome, Internet Explorer may not be supported)
General Guidelines
- In-person visitation may be modified or suspended based on the hospital’s current COVID-19 conditions or as recommended by CDC, CDPH, local Public Health Department guidance.
- Patients with active COVID-19 disease are not permitted to have in-person visitors or participate in tele-visits until released from isolation.
- Patients residing on Quarantined or Observation Units are not permitted to have in-person or tele-visits.
- Each patient is allowed up to three visitors total, one of whom can be a pre-approved minor per scheduled visit. For tele-visits, all visitors participating must be in one physical location.
- Minors are not allowed to visit (in-person or virtually) until approval is authorized. To approve a minor to participate in either form of visiting, the parent/guardian must first complete the Minor Visitation Authorization form (GA 62) with the patient’s treatment team and have received the determination. If the minor has not been previously approved, please contact the unit Clinical Social Worker to begin the request process.
- No food or drink is allowed during visitation.
- No restroom facilities will be available during visitation.
- Visitor clothing shall be conservative.
- Khaki-colored or similar colored clothing is prohibited (ex: beige, tan, light brown).
- Clothing that resembles patient or officers' clothing; camouflage-type clothing or army fatigues (olive drab).
- Strapless garments; halter, bare midriff or tank tops (male or female); transparent clothing; wrap-around tops, skirts, dresses; underwire garments; shorts; or clothing with hoods.
- Skirts, dresses, or Capri pants shall fall below the knee. Skirts/dresses longer than knee length cannot have slits extending above the knees.
- Exercise clothing (i.e., spandex, leotards) or excessively loose or skin-tight clothing.
- Wigs, except for medical reasons with prior approval.
- Scarves, hats, gloves, or other excess clothing.
- No open-toe shoes.
- Jackets or sweaters must be worn or placed into a locker.
- No neckties, necklaces or any other items that encircle the neck.
- Any clothing with offensive or gang related words/insignias.
- Children 40 inches tall or under are exempt from the following clothing restrictions: tights and head protection (hats).
The following clothing items are not permitted:
Scheduling
- To allow for wider patient access to both forms of visitation, each patient can only be scheduled for one type of visit per day.
- Visit scheduling will be on a first come first serve basis and is subject to change at any time. Incomplete or inaccurate visit requests will be denied.
- To schedule an in-person or tele-visit please use the scheduling link below.
- Daily times for scheduled visits are: 0815, 0915, 1015, 1115, and 1215
- All visits are limited to 45 minutes due to scheduling and infection control measures.
- In-person visits can be scheduled on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday.
- Tele-visits can be scheduled on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
- A previously approved minor may be allowed to participate in tele-visits scheduled on Fridays ONLY, with the parent or guardian listed on approval forms.
- To approve a minor to participate in either form of visiting, the parent/guardian must first complete the Minor Visitation Authorization form (GA 62) with the patient’s treatment team and have received the determination. If the minor has not been previously approved, please contact the unit Clinical Social Worker to begin the request process.
- All requests for visiting will be processed by the Department of Police Services. If the visitor is restricted from grounds or has an active warrant, the visit request will be denied.
- Prospective visitors on probation must have written authorization from their Probation Officer. Court probation will be authorized/denied on a case-by-case basis by the Watch Commander. Prospective visitors on probation for a violent or a drug-related offense will be denied. Prior to the visit, individuals on probation may be subject to a search of their person or property.
- Approved visitor(s) will receive a confirmation email with visit day and time within three business days prior to the requested visit date. Tele-visitor requestors will also receive a WebEx link to use to access the tele-visit.
On the Day of Visit
- In-person visitors should arrive to DSH-Atascadero at least 15 minutes in advance of their scheduled visit for check-in and fill out visitation paperwork.
- Upon arrival, in-person visitors are provided a surgical mask by hospital staff which shall be worn while on grounds and during the visit.
During the Visit
- Approved visitor(s) will have their identity verified at the beginning of the visit. Expired ID is not valid.
- For tele visits, only previously approved visitor(s) can participate in the tele visit.
- During the visit, the patient and visitor(s) will be expected to adhere to Visiting Room and DSH-Atascadero policies. This includes, but is not limited to, attire and appropriate behavior. Any misconduct or failure to follow visiting policies may result in termination of the visit.
- Department of Police Services Visiting Room officers maintain visual surveyance of all visits.
- Criminal activity observed during visits will be processed in accordance with applicable laws.
- In-person visitors and patients shall wear masks provided during visit. The only exception to required masking is children under two (2) years of age. Surgical masks will be provided, and visitor will always be required to wear the mask to cover their mouth and nose.
- In person visitors and patients shall maintain physical distance from the patient, other patients and visitors, and staff members. No physical contact is permitted.
Technology Requirements to Participate in a WebEx Meeting
- Computer:
- Headphones with microphone (preferred)
- Telephone
- Webcam
- Stable internet connection
- Computer WebEx Tutorial
- Mobile Device:
- WebEx App
- Stable internet connection (Wi-Fi or cellular)
- Headphones with mic (preferred)
- Front facing camera
- Mobile Smart Phone WebEx Tutorial
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